This 1963 Buick Riviera was reportedly sold new at Dresslar Waeche Buick of Seattle, Washington and reportedly remained with the original owner until 2009, when it underwent a refurbishment in Bamboo Cream and was acquired by the seller in 2016. Power is from a 401ci Nailhead V8 paired with a two-speed automatic transmission, and the car features a Saddle vinyl interior with a center console. Modifications include later Rally wheels and Thrush mufflers. An oil change was performed and new alternator installed in August 2019. This first-year Riviera is offered with service manuals, partial records, and a clean Colorado title in the seller’s name.
Penned under GM styling chief Bill Mitchell, the Riviera featured a body shell not used in other GM products and was the first model from the company with frameless side windows. Originally Arctic White (C), this example was repainted in the 1965 Buick color of Bamboo Cream (Y) under previous ownership in 2012.
Unique 1963 features include Buick Tri-Shield emblems on the hood ornament and inset in the taillights. Chrome 15″ Rally wheels with black insets were sourced from a 1965 Riviera GS and wear whitewall radial tires. The front brakes were reportedly serviced during the refurbishment, and the rear brakes were serviced under the seller’s ownership.
The Saddle vinyl interior features front bucket seats with a matching lower dashboard, carpets, and door panels. Additional amenities include a factory Sonomatic radio and 1963-only HVAC controls mounted beneath the upper dash pad. The instrument panel houses a nonfunctional clock and a five-digit odometer showing just under 77k miles, 4k of which have been added by the seller.
The 401ci “Wildcat 445” Nailhead V8 was factory rated at 325 horsepower. The engine was removed and rebuilt in February 2010, and work included a boiling of the engine block, a re-coring of the radiator, and the installation of new valves, main and rod bearings, piston rings, an oil pump, and more. An oil change was performed and new alternator installed in August 2019.
The 1963 Riviera came standard with a twin-turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission, and this example is also said to have been rebuilt in 2010. A pair of Thrush mufflers has been installed.
The cowl tag is shown above and decodes as follows:
- 02C = May, second week of production
- 63-4747 = Riviera two-door hardtop coupe, model year 1963
- FB = Flint, Michigan assembly
- 798 = Saddle vinyl
- CC= Arctic White top/bottom
Service manuals and refurbishment records are included in the sale, along with copies of magazines where the car has been featured.
